The World's Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Digital Video

1_Hulu

For a foray into original programming and a striking redesign of its user interface. Both ventures won Hulu steady growth over 2012, giving it 3 million paying Hulu Plus subscribers and a 65% revenue boost from the previous year.

2_SocialCam

For beating out all the other "video of Instagram" apps. In the past year, SocialCam inked a $60 million deal with software maker Autodesk and partnered with The Washington Post to provide Olympic coverage.

3_BrightRoll

For leapfrogging past Hulu and Adap.tv. In the process it became the second-largest player in video ads after YouTube, serving up 1.8 billion ads as of late 2012.

4_Vimeo

For out-pacing YouTube in 2012 by bringing in a new CEO, redesigning its site, and partnering with Windows. Under the deal with Microsoft, Movie Maker-made videos will go straight into Vimeo. Plus, the company hosted an online awards show in June, celebrating Vimeo documentaries and motion graphics.

5_Ptch

For leading the herd out of DreamWorks’ Animation incubator. The app (the brainchild of DreamWorks Animation CTO Ed Leonard) lets users drag-and-drop their photos, music, and videos into a single sequence.

6_#Waywire

For breaking up what Cory Booker calls "the oligarchy in the media." To compete with traditional news outlets that produce and deliver their own video, #waywire uses original and syndicated video content from the public. Its first financing round brought in $1.75 million. And its Oprah-approved, too.

7_YouTube

For initially betting a reported $100 million in 2011 (YouTube declines to confirm or deny the number) on original programming for the 18-to-34-year-old market and in 2012 allocating another $200 million to promote YouTube channels. They've had promising starts: YouTube-supported original content will air on Reuters and Bleacher Report channels in early 2013.

8_Knowmia

For standing in as the new teacher’s aide. The crowdsourced video platform—a recent Y Cominator graduate—features short educational videos that teachers can play or create for their classrooms.

9_MediaCore

For enticing universities and K-through-12 schools to build their own secure video channels. In 2012 MediaCore expanded its reach to 5.5 million students, in part by bringing in the video sharing site SchoolTube and others as customers.

10_FIELD

For hypnotic digital data-art experiments that change as you watch. Among the clients for its glowing audio-visual installations are GE and Deutsche Bank.

Add New Comment

0Comments

Our annual guide to the state of innovation in our economy, featuring the businesses whose innovations are having the greatest impacts across their industries and our culture as a whole. Follow the conversation on Twitter #FCMostInnovative